Hi everyone! First time posting here, thanks in advance for all the useful info in this subreddit.
I’ve planned a 2-week trip to Japan in mid-May (just after Golden Week) for my girlfriend and me (early 30s). We’re used to medium-fast paced travel (~15–20k steps/day) and wanted a fairly classic first-time Japan itinerary, with a few non-negotiable experiences included.
Here’s the itinerary:
Day 1 (May 8) – Tokyo
AFTERNOON: Arrive Narita (16:00), check-in Asakusa (~18:00–18:30)
EVENING: Senso-ji night visit
Day 2 (May 9) – Tokyo
MORNING: Ueno (park, Ameya Yokocho)
AFTERNOON: Senso-ji, Tokyo Skytree (18:00–18:30 booking)
EVENING: free time
Day 3 (May 10) – Tokyo
MORNING: Akihabara, Kanda Shrine
AFTERNOON: Tokyo Tower area + flexible sightseeing (parks, markets, etc.)
EVENING: free time (possibly omakase or dinner out)
Day 4 (May 11) – Kamakura day trip
Temples, shrines, shopping street, coastal spots
Day 5 (May 12) – Shuzenji Onsen
Travel (~3h), explore if time allows, ryokan stay + onsen
Day 6 (May 13) – Kyoto
Travel (~3.5–4h), Nishiki Market, Kyoto central area, Pontocho
Day 7 (May 14) – Kyoto (packed day)
Fushimi Inari early, Higashiyama (Kiyomizu-dera, Gion area, temples, streets)
Day 8 (May 15) – Kyoto
Aoi Matsuri, Kinkaku-ji, flexible afternoon
Day 9 (May 16) – Osaka day trip
Katsuo-ji + Namba/Dotonbori area, return to Kyoto
Day 10 (May 17) – Hiroshima
Peace Memorial Park + Museum, Okonomimura
Day 11 (May 18) – Miyajima
Shrine, ropeway areas, hiking options, return evening
Day 12 (May 19) – Tokyo
Return to Tokyo, Shinjuku, shopping, Kabukicho/Golden Gai
Day 13 (May 20) – Tokyo
Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya, Shibuya Sky
Day 14 (May 21) – Departure
Last morning free, flight at 18:00
A couple notes:
Yes, I know Day 7 and Day 9 are quite packed, but they include must-do activities for us.
I’d really appreciate restaurant recommendations for Day 2 (after Skytree). It will be my girlfriend’s birthday, and I’d like something a bit more upscale than a standard izakaya. I’m considering omakase but not sure if that might be too heavy or formal for the occasion.
Thanks a lot for any feedback or suggestions!
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